Zechariah Part One Deep Dive
A DIVE INTO ZECHARIAH | JAMES WEEKS
The Book of Zechariah is located in the penultimate position at the conclusion of the Old Testament, part of a collection of prophetic writings often referred to as the Minor Prophets. So named, not because they are any less important than the Major Prophets, but because the prophetic writings were broken into two groups based on their size.
And let’s be honest, not many people jump into the Minor Prophets during their morning quiet time. A quick survey would show that the majority of people spend time in the Gospels or the Psalms. For the most part, unless people are directed to the prophets as part of a reading plan (say... like TYB, for example), they are given a wide berth. I think that is because without the necessary keys for how to read them, they can be confusing, confronting, and even just plain strange.
When you trace the storyline throughout the Old Testament, there is a very clear pattern which begins to emerge: sin, judgement, and restoration. God’s people sin and reject their covenant union with God, their sin and folly incur judgement, and then they are graciously restored back to covenant union. By the time you get to the Book of Judges, it almost feels like you’ve been watching the same episode on repeat. Much of this same pattern can be seen in the Minor Prophets and their relation to one another. Dedicated readers have pushed through, past the drama of Hosea, and the fishy tale of Jonah, then let out a collective sigh, “I’ve heard it all before!”
Whilst there is no denying that the interpretive task in reading Zechariah is difficult, the reward is great. It is in our Bible for a reason. It has been included in the canon of Scripture precisely because it reveals something about the character of God. It also reveals the nature of humanity, the messy interplay between creature and Creator, and ultimately, it plays a vital role in the grand narrative of the Bible. The prophetic writings are a gift to us. With poetic beauty, they interpret the history of Israel. They help us to make sense of the messiness of the Old Testament and draw our attention back onto God and His covenant faithfulness.
In the next article I will discuss a few of the key themes of the Book of Zechariah, but for now, here are a few things to keep in mind when you sit down to read it.
Historical Background
The Book of Zechariah is set during the post-exilic period. After Israel’s exile in Babylon, the Persian king, Cyrus, permitted the Jews to return to their lands (538 BC). The primary task overseen by the prophets was the rebuilding of the Temple. Remember, the Temple housed the presence of God and signified the covenant union between Israel and Yahweh. No Temple: no presence.
Structure of the Book
The book is divided into two main parts: Chapters 1-8, and 9-14. The first half contains eight distinct revelations referred to as ‘night visions’. They offer a prophetic glimpse of
Israel’s future and also the hope of a coming age of restoration for the people of God who are returning from exile. The genre of Zechariah’s visions can be described as proto-apocalyptic literature; a visionary sub-genre of prophecy which interprets current events and predicts future events.
The second half differs slightly in that it shifts to a series of oracles; eschatological proclamations of a coming day when sin and idolatry will be washed away. The focus now moves towards hope in the Davidic covenant, that one day a new King would sit on David’s throne and rule with justice and peace.
Happy reading!
James Weeks is the Student Engagement Officer at Raymont Residential College in Brisbane, Australia. He previously was the College Principal at C3 Church Bridgeman Downs for five years. James is an incredible writer, academic with a Pastors heart.
recommended
An Introduction to the Old Testament
Zechariah part One
Haggai part One